ISSUES

Affordability/ Increased Taxes/ Spending

• Before asking taxpayers for more, we should prioritize needs over wants, look for efficiencies, determine what can be cut from the budget before adding to it, and protect affordability. Through my work in the community, my team and I spend countless hours providing aid, support, and solutions for families facing eviction, utility cutoffs, and other financial hardships. I see firsthand how inflation and the rising costs of housing, food, utilities, transportation, and other basic necessities are putting tremendous pressure on working families and seniors. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Johnson City’s median household income is approximately $57,000 and more than 20% of our residents live below the poverty line. For many households, there simply is not much room left in the family budget for additional costs. That is why I do not believe a property tax increase of this magnitude is the right solution at a time when so many people are already struggling to make ends meet. We are seeing a growing number of seniors faced with difficult financial decisions, including considering reverse mortgages rather than being able to pass their homes down to their children. We also work with employed families who have housing today but are only one or two paychecks away from homelessness. These are real people and real circumstances that must be considered when government makes decisions that increase the cost of living. I believe in responsible growth, strong public services, and investing in our city's future. But before placing a greater burden on taxpayers, city government should demonstrate that it has prioritized essential needs, eliminated unnecessary spending, found efficiencies, and explored reasonable alternatives. There is room for improved financial direction and decisions. We need to do better at protecting our tax dollars.  

 

 

Flock Cameras

• I support our police officers and providing them with the resources needed to keep Johnson City safe. However, I oppose the City’s current Flock camera program. Public safety should not require sacrificing privacy, accountability or responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The City entered into a 10-year agreement totaling approximately $8.06 million. I believe we should reevaluate this agreement and pursue public safety solutions that protect both our residents and their privacy. I would rather prioritize resources toward our police officers, firefighters, EMS, infrastructure, and other essential services that directly serve our community.

 

 

Data Centers

• I oppose locating data centers within Johnson City’s city limits. While I understand the growing need for technology infrastructure, we must carefully consider the impact these facilities can have on our neighborhoods, utilities, infrastructure, environment, and quality of life. Economic development should benefit the people who already call Johnson City home and should not come at the expense of our residents or place unnecessary strain on essential resources. I support responsible growth that protects our neighborhoods, preserves our community, and ensures that development serves the long-term interests of our residents. (Ref: Church Voters Q’s)

 

 

Aquatic Center

• There is an old saying: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” My concern with the Aquatic Center is not whether Johnson City should invest in quality recreational and aquatic facilities. My concern is whether we did enough planning before committing taxpayers to a project of this magnitude. Johnson City does have legitimate aquatic needs. Our existing facilities are aging, and the City’s own aquatics study identified significant problems with Legion Street and Freedom Hall Pools and recommended consideration of a new facility. However, a project estimated at approximately $37 million deserved a thorough, long-term funding strategy before being incorporated into a budget that also included a significant property-tax increase. I believe we should have done more work before asking taxpayers to carry that burden. For a major capital project like this, we should first clearly establish the community’s priorities, determine what we can reasonably afford, examine the long-term operating and maintenance costs, and explore every responsible funding alternative available. That should include grants, private philanthropy, corporate partnerships, naming opportunities, regional partnerships, and other sources that could reduce the amount taxpayers are required to fund. We live in a generous region with businesses, foundations, organizations, and individuals who have demonstrated their willingness to invest in projects that improve our community. Before placing millions of dollars of additional expense on taxpayers, I believe those potential partners should have been invited to the table. This is especially important during a time when many families, seniors, and working residents are struggling with the rising costs of housing, utilities, food, insurance, and other basic necessities. From nearly 20 years of working directly with families in need, I know that what may appear to be a manageable increase on paper can be another financial burden for a household already struggling to make ends meet. If an Aquatic Center is something Johnson City wants and determines that it needs, then we should pursue it responsibly. I support investing in amenities that improve quality of life, serve our children and families, support competitive swimming, and strengthen our community. But good projects still require good planning. My position is simple: plan first, explore every funding option, engage the community, protect taxpayers, and then build responsibly.

 

 

City Hall & Leadership 

• Too many people tell me they don’t feel heard. People shouldn’t have to agree with City Hall to know that City Hall heard them. I believe we need greater transparency and meaningful public engagement before major decisions are made. No position should be above accountability. I’m not running to protect anybody’s job, and I’m not running to take anybody’s job. I’m running to do my job by putting people at the center, serving the people and produce results that benefits all citizens of Johnson City.